What is Oncology Stewardship?

A set of coordinated strategies to improve the use of systemic anticancer therapy with the goal of enhancing patient health outcomes while reducing financial toxicity.

What is MOQC doing?

After establishing interest in the concept of oncology stewardship from member participants and obtaining support from the MOQC Patient and Caregiver Oncology Quality Council (POQC), MOQC sought to explore further strategies to implement a statewide stewardship program.

Hematology-oncology practices face various challenges, such as drug shortages, rising costs, and disparities in care. In response, MOQC initiated an oncology stewardship project in 2023, aligning with goals of Centering Equity, Maximizing Value, and Fostering Professional Development.

MOQC aims to develop a statewide stewardship program. The initial focus is on understanding oncology stewardship perceptions among MOQC physicians.

Where do we go from here?

The topic of “Improving biomarker testing for metastatic non-small cell lung cancer” was selected to focus on for a pilot project. MOQC is forming an implementation team comprised of team members involved in the process of molecular diagnostics in thoracic oncology (ordering, intake, interpreting, etc.) within MOQC practices. Once the implementation team is formed, MOQC will move forward with the creation of a statewide oncology stewardship program. If deemed feasible, future efforts will focus on identifying additional eligible therapies, diseases, and indications for stewardship.